The Major League Baseball Players Association fired chief operating officer Xavier James and human resources head Michael O'Neill with cause Wednesday following an internal investigation. The firings come after executive director Tony Clark resigned in February amid revelations of an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law who worked at the union. An anonymous whistleblower complaint had alleged Clark engaged in misuse of resources, self-dealing, nepotism and abuse of power.

These leadership changes follow a federal investigation by the Eastern District of New York into the union's business practices. The probe focuses on several of the MLBPA's sprawling business interests, including its involvement with OneTeam Partners and Players Way, a youth baseball initiative where the union reportedly spent upward of $10 million with limited returns. Attorney Adam Braverman delivered findings from the internal investigation to the MLBPA on Wednesday.

Former major leaguer Chris Capuano, who has worked at the union since 2019, will become the new COO while Ian Penny serves as interim chief HR officer. The upheaval comes at a critical juncture as the current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, with MLB owners planning to pursue a salary cap system the union vehemently opposes.